# Yes boss, I have to show up for jury duty **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 10, 2005, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-boss-i-have-to-show-up-for-jury-duty/289323 "2005-02-10T01:52:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-boss-i-have-to-show-up-for-jury-duty/289323/21 "2005-02-10T19:24:48Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Huh. I have jury duty on Hitler’s birthday. How’s that for a coincidence? Especially if turns out Hitler isn’t dead after all but instead hiding out in your area and you end up sitting on the jury for his trial after he’s arrested shoplifting cake mix and birthday candles at a nearby grocery store. Here he thought he’d be eating cake on his birthday and instead he’s on trial for shoplifting and/or crimes against humanity! Hitler is so stupid. ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-boss-i-have-to-show-up-for-jury-duty/289323/22 "2005-02-10T19:27:15Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > Especially if turns out Hitler isn’t dead after all but instead hiding out in your area and you end up sitting on the jury for his trial after he’s arrested shoplifting cake mix and birthday candles at a nearby grocery store. Here he thought he’d be eating cake on his birthday and instead he’s on trial for shoplifting and/or crimes against humanity! > > Hitler is so stupid. There is so much potential here for a really really really bad B movie in that post. **Giraffe** you should make this your primary project until it is finished. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-boss-i-have-to-show-up-for-jury-duty/289323/23 "2005-02-10T19:30:50Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > Hitler is so stupid. Oh yeah? Well, if Hitler is so stupid, how come he’s still alive, huh? And he knows how to make cake from a mix. Betcha can’t argue with that logic. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-boss-i-have-to-show-up-for-jury-duty/289323/24 "2005-02-10T19:35:12Z")
> [@swampbear](#): > > There is so much potential here for a really really really bad B movie in that post. **Giraffe** you should make this your primary project until it is finished. Nah, I think they already made a Twilight Zone about it. You’re just trying to keep me busy and out of trouble, aren’t you? _:: eyes **swampbear** suspciously ::_ > [@tdn](#): > > Oh yeah? Well, if Hitler is so stupid, how come he’s still alive, huh? And he knows how to make cake from a mix. I didn’t say it would be a _good_ cake. He’d probably forget to add the egg. Stupid Hitler can’t bake for shit. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-boss-i-have-to-show-up-for-jury-duty/289323/25 "2005-02-10T19:42:32Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > I didn’t say it would be a _good_ cake. He’d probably forget to add the egg. Stupid Hitler can’t bake for shit. Ooh, touche. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-boss-i-have-to-show-up-for-jury-duty/289323/26 "2005-02-10T20:00:44Z")
Actually, an employer CAN get the employee dismissed from jury duty (in most counties). I have been using this format on my company’s letterhead: > [@Jury Duty Excuse Letter](#): > > February 10th, 2005 > > Dear Members of the Office of the Jury Commission, > > \<_Employee Name_\> is currently employed with \<_Company Name_\> for the last \<_x number_\> years. It is stated in our employee policy that we do not compensate any employee who is on jury duty for any period of time. Also, any unpaid time off from work pushes back the employee’s annual evaluation as well as his/her anniversary date for all accrued time off. The company regrets any problem that this creates, but in this economic climate that this company operates in, it is necessary to stand by this policy. If there are any questions, please feel free to call me at the number below. > > ``` > Sincerely, > > Yeticus Rex > Owner, CFO, Nosepicker&Flinger > <*Company Name*> > <*Phone Number*> > > ``` This letter works for every one of my employees for every jury duty summons that I have been notified of in a timely fashion for the last 10+ years. If an employee wants to go, I have no problem with that, but they realize that they will have to use one of their PTO days to be off. This is a totally legal response in my county. If your jury duty summons has a questionaire regarding excusal with support from an employer letter, then your county recognizes excusals like ours does. As for **subpeonas** …well, the employee is on their own. I do let them off for the subpeona, but the PTO rules still apply in this case too. As for your boss, he’s an idiot. If he had half a brain, he would be writing letters to the jury commission to get you off of jury duty…if they allow it. You should know if they do by looking at the summons. ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-boss-i-have-to-show-up-for-jury-duty/289323/27 "2005-02-10T20:01:02Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > Nah, I think they already made a Twilight Zone about it. You’re just trying to keep me busy and out of trouble, aren’t you? > > _:: eyes **swampbear** suspciously ::_ Now, now **Giraffe** I was just thinking about how you shouldn’t let all that creative talent go to waste. It would be a shame to deprive the world of such a cinema classic. When you’ve finished that, I hear a lot of people have been commenting that you would be the perfect person to translate _War And Peace_ into Esperanto. That oughta keep him occupied for a few years. Then it’s somebody else’s turn to keep him busy. ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-boss-i-have-to-show-up-for-jury-duty/289323/28 "2005-02-10T20:17:57Z")
Nosepicker & Flinger, huh **YeticusRex**? You got any openings? :: rimshot :: ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-boss-i-have-to-show-up-for-jury-duty/289323/29 "2005-02-10T20:41:28Z")
> [@scout1222](#): > > Nosepicker & Flinger, huh **YeticusRex**? > > You got any openings? > > :: rimshot :: I have a few openings, and I have been digging deep through the cogestive pile of solid applicants. ::double rimshot:: ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-boss-i-have-to-show-up-for-jury-duty/289323/30 "2005-02-10T20:44:57Z")
That’s pretty terrible, **Rex**. I bet if you ever have to sue someone you won’t give a shit if your witnesses or jurors are put out by the demands of your case. I just hope the judge recognizes your company’s name. I would. –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-boss-i-have-to-show-up-for-jury-duty/289323/31 "2005-02-10T20:50:46Z")
> [@Yeticus Rex](#): > > I have a few openings, and I have been digging deep through the cogestive pile of solid applicants. Many from the upper crust, no doubt. ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-boss-i-have-to-show-up-for-jury-duty/289323/32 "2005-02-10T20:57:18Z")
From my limited conversations with YRex, I do believe he is the owner of a very small family-run business. He’s not some corporate fat cat who has lots of employees to do his work for him. To me, that makes a difference in what kind of sacrifice jury duty is for his employees. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-boss-i-have-to-show-up-for-jury-duty/289323/33 "2005-02-10T21:04:06Z")
> [@MaddyStrut](#): > > Unfortunately, my former boss (US born and never left the country–something he was quite proud of) ’ I was going to :rolleyes: at this, but I decided furriners don’t want him in their country anyway, and I guess we’re stuck with him. Catapult, anyone? ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-boss-i-have-to-show-up-for-jury-duty/289323/34 "2005-02-10T21:18:15Z")
> [@MaddyStrut](#): > > Unfortunately, my former boss (US born and never left the country–something he was quite proud of) was equally confused. He once advised me just to ignore my jury duty summons. In his expert opinion, the courts were too busy to track down people who didn’t show up for jury duty. The way I heard it, the jury pool is determined by people who send in the summons, and if you don’t send it in, they won’t even know you exist. Can’t vouch for the accuracy except to say that I’ve thrown away every single summons I’ve received, and they haven’t arrested me yet. Of course, this is Los Angeles County, where the clerks are a wee bit more overworked than some podunk mid-Atlantic town. 😃 I should actually serve one of these days, though. I’m at the point financially where five bucks a day will actually make a difference. Hey, maybe I’ll get a nice juicy murder trial or something… ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-boss-i-have-to-show-up-for-jury-duty/289323/35 "2005-02-10T21:29:04Z")
> [@scout1222](#): > > From my limited conversations with YRex, I do believe he is the owner of a very small family-run business. > > He’s not some corporate fat cat who has lots of employees to do his work for him. To me, that makes a difference in what kind of sacrifice jury duty is for his employees. From a previous thread, it’s a fairly large private-sector business, providing services to the developmentally disabled – which of course requires skills and personality gifts that aren’t available in the casual off-the-street applicant. IIRC, he has ~60 employees, and has cut his staffing to the wire owing to funding cutbacks in the government contracts which provide his major income. So I’m inclined to give Mr. Rex a bit more leeway than a manufactory or fast food operation – his clients are not going to suddenly stop needing help because their caregiver is summonsed. In general, ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-boss-i-have-to-show-up-for-jury-duty/289323/36 "2005-02-10T21:46:59Z")
> [@Yeticus Rex](#): > > Actually, an employer CAN get the employee dismissed from jury duty (in most counties). I have been using this format on my company’s letterhead: > > This letter works for every one of my employees for every jury duty summons that I have been notified of in a timely fashion for the last 10+ years. If an employee wants to go, I have no problem with that, but they realize that they will have to use one of their PTO days to be off. This is a totally legal response in my county. If your jury duty summons has a questionaire regarding excusal with support from an employer letter, then your county recognizes excusals like ours does. > > As for **subpeonas** …well, the employee is on their own. I do let them off for the subpeona, but the PTO rules still apply in this case too. > > As for your boss, he’s an idiot. If he had half a brain, he would be writing letters to the jury commission to get you off of jury duty…if they allow it. You should know if they do by looking at the summons. Geez, what the hell kind of sweatshop are you running, anyway? ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-boss-i-have-to-show-up-for-jury-duty/289323/37 "2005-02-10T21:57:43Z")
> [@Cliffy](#): > > That’s pretty terrible, **Rex**. I bet if you ever have to sue someone you won’t give a shit if your witnesses or jurors are put out by the demands of your case. I just hope the judge recognizes your company’s name. I would. > > –Cliffy Ah, you seemed to have missed that I have given my employees the OPTION of going to jury duty (and using their PTO time) or asking for a letter to dismiss them from jury duty, which gives far more latitude than **El Kabong** ’s boss does. You also missed that I can’t/won’t contest a subpeona with my letter, so I let the employee go to court, as long as there is documentation supplied by the employee before or just after the court date. I have even discussed with our county and municipal court clerks years ago if this is acceptable. It was back then, and still continues to this day. Hundreds, if not a thousand+ letters that I have written on my employees’ behalf have not been rejected…not one. **Scout** remembers that I have a company with about 60 employees, some who are developmentally disabled and I am indirectly state funded which has only seen only one adjustment to inflation since I started in 1992 (and even that COLA has been eroded in cutbacks). So, this IS the economic climate that the company operates in…excuse me for not being in the Fortune 500. Another thing…suing should always be a last resort and should not get to that point in most cases. I have yet to see a lawsuit against my company, let alone me initiating a lawsuit…wanna know why? I work things out before it gets to that point. Lawsuits involve two disagreeable parties, not one or none. Again, I am doing it legally and with greater latitude than most employers with the economic factors that are not totally in my favor. YMMV Now, for the flip side of the jury duty coin…what if my company did pay for jury duty service? Then I would be paying for employees who are not here. Mind you, for the state funding I am to be paid with, I am contracted to provide a certain ratio of clients:employees. If I don’t make these ratios, I end up giving money back to the state. So, as an employer…is it a wise decision to pay for someones jury duty AND return money to the state for that employee being absent that day?..(the wrong side of double-dipping, my friend)…and with frozen rates that we find more and more difficult to operate in? (hence the adverse economic climate that our company operates in) Another anecdote of the flip side… My son’s spanish teacher last year was on jury duty for THREE AND A HALF MONTHS…because the jury system recognizes teachers as paid employees regardless if they are in the classroom or in court. Wanna take a guess on how my son’s spanish class fared for those 3.5 months? Lost tests, homework assignments, revolving door subs, gradebook omissions and errors…if any one was planning on being valedictorian and had that class, then they got screwed…BIGTIME. Yeah, my companies depend on my employees being at work or we cease being a company…period. I would be glad that a judge would remember my company’s name because that means it has been operating for a long period of time rather than shutting down because of costly errors. YMMV ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-boss-i-have-to-show-up-for-jury-duty/289323/38 "2005-02-10T22:29:57Z")
> [@An Arky](#): > > Geez, what the hell kind of sweatshop are you running, anyway? Why, the best in the state of California! :rolleyes: Actually, we are recognized as one of the best programs for developmentally disabled in Southern California. [Jury Duty FAQs in San Bernardino County](http://www.sbcounty.gov/courts/?hp=http://www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/courts/jury/juryFaq.asp) #4 pertains to my clients and staff. :runs off to by more manacles and chains: 😉 ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-boss-i-have-to-show-up-for-jury-duty/289323/39 "2005-02-10T22:36:24Z")
Heheh. I knew it must be something like that. Really. ::runs and hides:: ---
**Author:** ![Winkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/41988e/32.png) [@Winkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winkie)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-boss-i-have-to-show-up-for-jury-duty/289323/40 "2005-02-10T23:35:28Z")
> [@KGS](#): > > The way I heard it, the jury pool is determined by people who send in the summons, and if you don’t send it in, they won’t even know you exist. Can’t vouch for the accuracy except to say that I’ve thrown away every single summons I’ve received, and they haven’t arrested me yet. > > Of course, this is Los Angeles County, where the clerks are a wee bit more overworked than some podunk mid-Atlantic town. 😃 > > I should actually serve one of these days, though. I’m at the point financially where five bucks a day will actually make a difference. Hey, maybe I’ll get a nice juicy murder trial or something… I don’t think that is the case in most places. Here in Indianapolis, there’s nothing to send in unless you are asking for a deferral (which I did the first time due to my hubbie’s medical condition, and got my second summons 6 months later, as promised.) You call to see if you have to report the next day, and check in when you show up. If not, BAAAAD things will happen: A person who fails to respond to a summons may be ordered by the Court to immediately appear and show cause for the person’s failure to comply with the summons. If the person fails to show good cause for noncompliance with the summons, the person is guilty of criminal contempt and upon conviction may be fined: not more than one hundred dollars ($100) or imprisoned in the county jail for not more than three (3) days, or both. [http://www6.indygov.org/courts/jurypool/index.htm](http://www6.indygov.org/courts/jurypool/index.htm) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-boss-i-have-to-show-up-for-jury-duty/289323.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-boss-i-have-to-show-up-for-jury-duty/289323.md?page=3)